He has also threatened to place a correctional center at the former Hunsicker School, which is located in the middle of a residential neighborhood that his critics say would be better served by housing.

When Lehigh County sold that building to Atiyeh last year, they chose him over a nonprofit housing developer that sought to rehabilitate and establish 12 apartments there.

They would have gone to low- to moderate-income tenants who are disabled or homeless, most of whom would be using services to find job training and benefits, according to the Allentown-based Housing Association and Development Corp.

"We think it would have been a real win for the neighborhood all the way around," said Bob Wittman, the nonprofit's resource development coordinator. "So it's disappointing to see what's happening with that property now."

The county sold the building to Atiyeh's company, Column Realty, for $131,000 in May 2012, according to property records. The nonprofit had bid $1 and was effectively seeking to have the property donated.

County Commissioner Chairwoman Lisa Scheller said that when the commissioners approved the sale, they were told it would have to be used for middle-income housing.

She added that the commissioners were not aware Atiyeh was associated with Column Realty at the time of the vote.

"It is disturbing to me that what was represented to us as commissioners at the time of the transactions isn't what's taking place right now," Scheller said.

Atiyeh disagreed with claims that housing would be a better use for the property, noting that a rehab center would help reduce drug problems and teen suicide rates in the community.

"We have an epidemic here," he said. "That's why this center will help the whole Lehigh Valley, not just Allentown. It's treating teenagers with addiction; that's what this is all about."

Don Cunningham, who was county executive when the sale was approved, said the county's understanding was that zoning restricted the property's use to housing.

Until 2010, the building had been a county-run, work-release center for female inmates, which was allowed despite the residential zoning due to a court settlement reached with the city in 1988.

Cunningham said the county's understanding was that once it was sold, it would revert back to the original residential zoning, so he was confident Column Realty would have to build residential units there.

"From the county's perspective, we got the maximum money for the building and the city was comfortable because the special use we had was going away with the new owner," he said.

But Atiyeh argues the special use was carried over and allows him to build his rehab center. The Allentown Zoning Hearing Board disagreed, voting 3-0 Tuesday to reject that proposal.

"I'm absolutely going to win, there's no question about it," Atiyeh said. "When a judge looks at this, and looks at the facts, he's going to rule in our favor in this case."

Cunningham said he believes the zoning board will easily be able to defend its position in court.

"It's no surprise that Abe would be battling a zoning board over something," Cunningham said. "But my sense is the city is in pretty good condition from a zoning perspective."

Wittman said it was the county who first encouraged the nonprofit to bid on the property and he feels it did not advocate strongly enough on its behalf once Atiyeh also bid.

"We think our project would have melded seamlessly into the neighborhood," Wittman said. "There's a real demand for quality affordable rental housing in this neighborhood."